Love for Christmas — Denise Patrick

'Tis the season -- for love.

Falling in love at first sight -- with another man's wife -- was hell for Phillip Houghton. Never mind that he knew Julianna's husband to be a thoroughly unsavory man, the ring on her finger meant she was off limits.

Even after the man's untimely death, Phillip put even more distance between them, leaving the country to give her time to heal. Three years later he is back, and determined that nothing will let her slip through his fingers. Not even his status as a second son.

To all outward appearances, Julianna is content with her life as a widow with two small children. On the inside, the scars of her husband's abuse feed her general distrust of men. Phillip makes her painfully aware of how lonely her life truly is, but why marry again when she has all the family, and security, she needs?

Yet as Phillip wins over her parents and children, she finds herself drawn to him. Dare she trust her mind -- and her heart -- for a second chance with forever written all over him?

Warning: Never underestimate a man who is willing to deal with a two-year-old in tantrum mode.